The Problem of Autonomy and Democracy in a Complex Polity: the European Union

Abstract

Analyses pertaining to “Democracy and the European Union” may be more or less comprehensive: the purpose may be to gain a better understanding of some specific aspects of the organisation or its practices; or it may be to attain a better general understanding and characterisation. In either case both theoretical, normative and political interests may be operative. In the case of a more specific focus, the inquiry may, e.g., be due to an interest in developing more satisfactory indices of power, i.e., a better theory of power. As to normative and political interests, the inquiry may be due to a wish to improve the organisation on points where improvements are possible and important, or the aim may be to get a better basis for advising non-members on the question of joining, or not joining, the organisation.